Stress Reaction

Lemming like, I joined Weight Watchers today in order to shed some extra pounds. Being January, it was of course wall to wall people, but I found it motivating none the less. Planning and organization were the topics, the thought being that if you plan ahead, you are more likely to reach your goal. I felt of course that this theme transitioned nicely to knitting projects and blogging.

Apparently I go through spurts of joining. Lot's of joining. Right now, as you can see from my sidebar, I have joined three KAL's and one sock swap. I have also ordered the pattern book for the Crossed in Translation KAL (joining to be determined at a future date when and if I find the pattern to be decipherable) and have been watching closely the upcoming sign up for Sockapalooza.

So, in the spirit of planning and organization, instead of composing a shopping list and planning a menu, I give you my KAL round-up.

The Amazing Grace is back on the front burner. I was having all kinds of gauge issues. The called for Cotton Angora, which I purchased, and would obviously want to use given the expense, was knitting up a bit too loose for my liking on the called for size 8 needles when I used my adored Addis. Size 7 was way too tight. The answer? Bamboo! That bit of extra drag from the bamboo tightens up the gauge just enough that I nailed it first time! Woot!!

I've finally chosen the sock yarn for the Bloomin' Feet sock swap. Fleece Artist Merino, Hand Painted in the Dragonfly colorway. I think my sock pal, who expressed a preference for bold colors, will like this.

The Red Hot Sizzling Socks KAL presented me with a no-brainer as we say in the biz. I scored almost a pound of CTH Supersock in a luscious red on eBay and the urge to knit this up is irresistible. Despite the fact that I have stashed an abundance of Supersock, I have yet to actually knit with it, so I am excited to get started.

Last, but by no means least, I have joined the Harlot's Knitters Olympics. Brave, brave woman that she is, Harlot is organizing a KAL likely to be remembered as the largest KAL in history. Casting on February 10th with the lighting of the flame, I will attempt to complete Ene's Shawl from Scarf Style using Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace in the Mixed Berries colorway by the time the torch goes out on February 26th.

Sixteen short days to complete my second charted lace project ever. I think this embraces the "Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, don't you?

After one week on Weight Watchers, I am now two pounds lighter (before and after pictures and weights will be provided only at the end of the journey, so we can oooh and aaah together)! While gratifying, I was somewhat dismayed that I was not miraculously a svelte size two. Too bad I do not have the same approach to dieting as I do to knitting. Apparently when it comes to weight loss it is not all about the process. Even though by training I am fully aware of the necessity of making lifestyle changes that are maintainable for the long term, there is so much tied into it, I suppose, having to do with self-esteem and appearance. And yet, the process approach would be much more reasonable. How much less stressful would it be if any positive progress was as rewarding as watching the blending of subtle colors on hand painted socks, or the sinuous twisting of the cables on an Aran sweater?

A process it has certainly been in the knitting of Grace. The gauge has been a challenge, but now that this issue has been resolved, I am pleased with this weekend's progress. While it's a light and airy fabric, I think the bloom that should develop after her first bath will result in a wonderfully cozy sweater. I modified one of the pattern stitches slightly to give what is to me a more pleasing result. The stitch called for was a Tw2R, which I did not like at all when knit as per the directions. The internet provided no less than four variations of this single stitch, so after trying them all, I settled on k2tog but leave on the needle, then knit the first stitch again and slip both stitches off the needle together. I have used this on another project, which I have yet to share, and really like the result.

Sorry about the shadows, the morning sun was not cooperating with me.
Hopefully you can at least see the cables.

... is for Catlyn. My beautiful fifteen (going on thirty) year old daughter. She is intelligent and talented and destined for great things in life.

Like her mother she has strong opinions. I pray for her prudence and wisdom. I also pray that she will never feel like she is less than capable because of her gender.

*…cake and cookies. Because they make me happy.

Despite my commitment to The D Word, you can see the temptations that surround me. Not that I am complaining. That would be less than gracious! I realize that I am blessed with abundance!!